World Wildlife Fund Good Nature Travel

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A Not-so-rough Ride on the Canadian Tundra

  • Date: 19 March 2010
  • Author: Elissa Leibowitz Poma, WWF Travel Manager

A new type of tundra vehicle has made viewing polar bears in Churchill, Canada, a smoother and more comfortable ride.

The “Polar Rover” is a new and one-of-a-kind “drive train” that safely allows travelers to patrol the tundra in more comfort—a far superior experience than on the bumpy tundra trucks invented three decades ago.

The fully heated vehicle possesses an elite suspension system designed by a specialist in Manitoba. Built into the rear-viewing platforms are innovative, corrugated steel mesh floors that allow you to view curious bears that may walk beneath the platforms. Remarkably, you could crouch down and be so close to a bear that you could feel its breath on your face.

Guests can also view and photograph bears from inside the vehicle, through sliding windows. The vehicles also offer flush toilets—a luxury on the tundra! On our tour, groups are limited to approximately 12 to 15 guests even though the vehicles can hold up to 50.

Travel in a Polar Rover on a WWF tour to see the polar bears of Churchill.

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